Direct-acting engine.



A. BALL & T. OFFICER. DIRECT AGTINGENGINE. .APPLIUATION NEED AUG. so, 1907.

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DIRECT ACTING ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. so, 1907.

1,95,153, Patented A131228, 1914.

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A. BALL & T. OFFICER.

DIRECT ACTING ENGINE APPLICATION FILED AUG. 30I 197.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Invenors:

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ALBERT BALL AND THOMAS OFFICER, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNORS,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

DIRECT-ACTING ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, i-XLBERT BALL and Thomas OFFICER, both citizens of the United States, and residents o-f Claremont, in the count-y of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Direct-Acting Engines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Our invention relates to direct-acting engines and more particularly, though not exclusively, to the valve mechanism for direct.- acting engines.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a longitudivention for illustrative purposes as applied to an under-cutting coal machine, and will refer to the advantages resulting from that particular use, although our invention is not limited to that or any particular application thereof.

One object of our invention, as applied to this specific use, is the provision of effective valve-controlling means whereby the speed and force of the piston can be quickly and readily controlled.

Our invention will be best understood by reference to the followingspecification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a coal cutting machine, partly broken away, 'and having one form of our invention applied thereto', Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the opposite side of the machine and also showing the main controlling valve and the piston in different positions from those shown in Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a rear transversel sectional. elevation taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the auxiliar-v valve; and Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary section on a larger scale slmwing the auxiliary valve in its reverse position.

eferring to the drawings and to the elnbxiidiment of our invention there shown, we. have illustrated the same as applied to an nader-cutting coal. machine or coal pick. The latter comprises primarily the main cylinder casting 1 mounted upon the wheels 2, having the cooperating piston 3 and pistonrod il, the latter passing through a suitably Specification of Letters Patent.

Appneatin ined August 30, 1907.

Patented Apr. as, 191,4.

Serial No. 390,751.

cutting tool, such as a pick or drill, not

shown, but of any usual or suitable construction. The movements of the piston are cony trolled by pressure fluid admittedV to they cylinder, or exhausted therefrom, through suitable admission and exhaust passages formed in the top of the cylinder and under control of the slide valve 6. Our invention is not limited to the use of any particular fo-rm of pressure fluid, but in the description of the illustrated embodiment thereof we will refer tothe machine as if operated by compressed air.

The slide valve 6 moves in the air chamber 7 formed abovel the cylinder and within the air chest 8. In the position shown in Fig. 1 it actsto admit pressure fluid to the head or rear end of the cylinder through the headlend admission port 9, and an opening 10 registering therewith in the valve plate. At the same time the forward or tool end of the cylinder is connected with the exhaust space 11 bymeans of the bridge 12, represented in dotted lines, in the valve plate, which bridge connects the central exhaust port for the eX- haust space 11 with the forward exhaust passage 13, the latter having entra-nce to the cylinder through divided or branched passages, as represented. In the position shown in Fig. 1, therefore, the slide valve 6 is in a position where pressure fluid is admitted to drive the piston with its attached tool forward, while exhausting the fluid from the forwardp'isto-n end. The piston is reversed by the forward movement of the slide valve to the reverse position shown in E 2. As there shown, admission of pressure fluid has been cut off from the rear admission passage 9, and the rear end of the cylinderl connected with the exhaust thro-ugh the rear exhaust passage 111 and the bridge 15 of the slide valve. The valve has also opened the forward admission passage 16 to the live pressure fluid by uncovering the mouth thereof through the opening 17 in the valveplate. The forward admission passage is provided with a governing or regulating valve 13, of the same general construction as is shown in prior patent to Giiicer No. 777,914, which valve is so controlled bv the compressed air, trapped at the forward end of the cylinder in the event of the too-l striking its blow.

without opposition, that it is depressed upon its seat 18X forming a part of and removable With the casing 18y of the valve, to close the admission passage to the cylinder until the pressure of air at the forward end thereof has been reduced by the return of the piston on its backward stroke. VThis controls the y speed of the engine and prevents racing, which would otherwise follow. The details `of construction of the regulating valve 18 Y will be sufiiciently clear from the said prior patent to require no further description.

The movement of the controlling valve 6 from one position to the other may be effected by any desired means, but herein we have provided a pressure-actuated, Valvemoving device inthe form of a diiferential piston, thesmal-ler and fo-rward end 19 of which works within a chamber v2O, and the rear or larger end 2l ofwhich works in a pressure chamber 22. This leaves a smaller area constantly exposed to the live pressure within the air chamber 7, and a larger area exposed to lthe pressure within the chamber 22. The differential piston is connected rigidly to the slide valve by the upturned stemV 23 of the latter, which passes through the body of th-e piston.

lVhile the pressure-actuated'moving device for the valve may be other than of the dii'erential valve form and may be moved by the variation of actuating pressure in any desired fashion, and through the control of any suitable arrangement of pressure iiuid passages, in the present form of our invention we have provided a single passage 24.- only (sho-wn in dotted lines in Fig. l) leading to the pressure chamber 22 of the differential piston from the chamber 25 of an auxiliary controlling valve 26, the latter acting to connect the passage 24 alternately with the pressure fluid and the exhaust, thereby to advance the piston to the position shown in F 2, or cause the retraction of the same into the position shown in Fig. 1.

-Any suitable device for controlling the moving pressure iiuid for the differential piston may be employed, but herein the valve 26 is of the balanced piston typ-e (see Figs. 3 and fl) having end spools and an intermediate spool of the sam-e diameter. The said spools work in chambers 27, 28, against end abutments 29 and 30, ,pressure fluid being constantly supplied to said chambers through ducts 3l and 32, respectively, of relatively small cross-sectional area as compared with the capacity of the chambers and the cross-section of the exhaust passage to b-e described. rlhe ducts 3l and 32 lead to the horizontal transverse pressure passage 33 (Fig. 3) which is connected (Fig. 2)

Vbv the passage 3st with achamber 35, the

latter opening into the live pressure chamber 7 and also extending down and into the cylinder head 3G at the back of the cylinder.

The chamber 35, therefore, acts as a receiver,

increasing the amount of air in the machine when operated and making the latter run more evenly. Through the passages as described, that is, from the chamber 35 through the passage 341-, passage 33 and ducts 3l and 32, pressure fluid 1s caused to leali into the chambers 27 and 28 at the opposite ends ofthe auxiliary valve. In order to exhaust. the pressure fluid at one end of the valve to cause the same to move toward that end, under the preponderating pressure at the opposite end, we have provided exhaust ports 3'? and 3S for the opposite ends of the passages, the said passages leading to the valve plate 39 (see Figs. l and 2 where they are adapted to be alternately connected with a central exhaust passage 40 by means of the tappet-actuated reversing slide valve 4:1. With the valve in the position represented in Fig. l, the passage 33 is connected with the exhaust and the auxiliary valve thrown to the position shown in Fig. 3. lVith the slide valve in the position shown in Fig. 2, the passage 37 is connected with the exhaust, and the auxiliary valve thrown in the opposite direction, or to the position shown in Fig. 4.

Other means for controlling or actuating the auxiliary valve may be employed, and where valve means are employed for controlling the actuating pressure fluid for the auxiliary valve, such valve means may be tappet actuated or otherwise, and if tappetactuated, may be actuated through movement of the main controlling` valve, or through other means. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, however, the valve al is adapted to be engaged by abutments 42 and d3 at opposite ends of the tappet rod d4, secured to the larger end of the differential piston, on which rod the valve is slidably mounted. The abutments are so arranged that at the close of the rearward movement of the differential piston the slide valve is engaged by the abutment 4:3 and moved to the position shown in Fig. l, while at the close of the forward movement of the differential piston th-e reversing valve is engaged by the abutment l2 and moved to the position shown in Fig. 2. A spring-pressed pin 45 engaging the groove at the top of the slide valve prevents the latter from turning and also from moving except when engaged by one of the abutments.

The transverse pressure passage 33 is connected with the chamber 25 of the auxiliary valve through the passage l-G, so that with the auxiliary valve in the position shown in Fig. 3, pressure fluid is being admitted to the chamber 22 of the differential piston to force it forward. lVhen the auxiliary valve is moved to the position shown in Fig. .4- the pressure passage 46 is cut off from the passage 24 leading to the differential valve chamber, the said passage Q4 at such timel being brought into free communication with the exhaust passage 47, thereby exhausting the fluid back of the differential piston and causing it to return to the position shown in Fig. l. It will therefore be seen that as soon as the main controlling valve has reached the position shown in Fig. l, to admit pressure fluid for starting the piston on its forward stroke, the differential piston has already moved the reversing valve 41 into a position where it is exhausting fluid from the right-hand end (as viewed in Fig. 3) of the auxiliary valve, this acting to cause the latter to move to the position shown in AFig. 3, and reverse the position of the controlling valve. Also, at the end of the forward stroke of the piston, when the controlling valve has moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 it has already placed the reversing valve 4l in position to reverse the auxiliary valve, thereby tending to reverse the main controlling valve. This system of "alve control. gives a very powerful and quick acting movement to the piston and the tool.

1n order to control the speed of the piston means are herein provided for regulating the movement of the .main controlling valve in either direction, so that in spite of the fact that it normally acts almost instantly to reverse itself, such reversing ac tion may be retarded to any desired extent, and, in fact, to the extent of holding the valve fixed against movement in its extreme position in either direction, and consequently holding the piston at one end or the other of the cylinder. In the present embodiment of this invention this is accomplished by so throttling either the exhaust from or the admission to the differential valve chamber Q2, that, with the exhaust throttled, the differential piston tends to return very slowly from the position shown in Fig. 2, while, with the admission throttled, it tends to return very slowly from the position shown in Fig. 1. Although throttling means may be employed elsewhere, and, in fact, the movement of the auxiliary valve itself, instead of the differential piston may be throttled or retarded, all within the spirit of our invention` we have herein provided an admission throttle'48 which controls the adnission passage 46 leading to the auxiliary valve chamber. The valve 48 is provided with a suitably formed stem 49 and a handle 50, so that when the latter is turned the stem may more or less intercept the passage of pressure fluid through the admission pas" sage 46, The handle 50 is pivoted to the stem and is provided with a spiral spring 5l which bears against the exterior of the casing and presses the opposite end against a notched portion of the casing to prevent accidental displacement of the valve. The exhaust from the differential piston chamber 22 is throttled between the auxiliary valve and the atmosphere. The exhaust passage 40 from the reversing valve 41 leads downward into a hollow, cup-shaped member 52, which latter connects through the passage (Fig. 3) 53 with the atmosphere. Abutting against the open end of the cup-shaped memloer 52 is the end of the hollow tapered throttle valve 54 having a lateral opening 55 adapted to register with the mouth of the exhaust passage 47 leading from the auxiliary valve chamber, and, therefore, to connect said exhaust passage with the atmosphere. By turning the throttle valve 54 the connection to the mouth of the exhaust passage 47 may be cut down to any desired extent. The exhaust'throttle 54 is provided with a handle 55 similar to the construction Yof the handle 50 for the admission throttle.

The two throttle valves described place it in the control of the runner to vary the speed of the piston in any desired way. By turning the exhaust throttle-valve 54 the exhaust from the differential piston may be throttled more or less andthe return of the controlling valve impeded, therel'iyslowing down the piston and weakening or retarding the forward piston stroke. If the exhaust throttle is turned far enough the differential piston can be stopped forward so as to force the working piston back against the backhead and there hold the same. This is of great convenience when it is desired to bring the piston back as far as possible into the cylinder for any purpose, such, for example, as in changing picks, which may be done without drawing the machine entirely back on the running board. If the inlet or admission throttle valve 49 is turned, the admission of pressure fluid to the back of the differential piston is retarded, thereby impeding the forward movement of the main controlling valve and slowing down or weakening the backward piston stroke.

1n the use of this machine the full force of the cutting or .forward blow of the piston will ordinarily be desired, In cutting some kinds of material, however, for example, soft coal, the force of the blow may have to be reduced, and, in order that this may be readily but effectively accomplished, we have provided a regulating valve 56 placed in the admission passage 9 for the head or rear end of the cylinder, so that admission of pressure fluid thereto from the pressure chamber 7 may be more or less throttled and the strength of the blow thereby lessened. The throttle valve 56 may be turned by a handle (not shown) at the side of the cylinder.

While we have herein shown and described one form of our invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the'const-ruction or details shown, or to the relative form or arrangement of parts, but that extensive modifications may be made therein, as Well as in the general application of our invention, Without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims:

l. In a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder provided WithV inlet and exhaust ports, of a mainv valve controlling the same, a differential piston for controlling the main valve having pressure constantly admitted against the small pressure area thereof, passages for admitting` pressure fluid to or exhausting the same from the larger area of the controlling piston, a balanced piston valve for controlling the pressure fluid passage to the larger area of the controlling piston, said piston valve having open pressure fluid ducts of relatively small cross-sectional area connecting a source of pressure fluid with same to reverse the piston valve, whereby the movement of the differential piston in one direction acts to reverse the piston valve and so vary the pressure fluid supply to the differential piston as to cause the latter to move in the opposite direction, a handthrottling valve for controlling the live pressure passage leading to the larger area of' the differential piston, and a second throttling valve for controlling the-exhaust passage leading from the larger area. of the differential piston, whereby the movement of the latter in either direction may be retarded or stopped.

2. 'In a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder provided With inlet and exhaust ports, of a main valve controlling the same, a differential, pressure-actuated device t'or controlling` the main valve and adapted to be moved alternately .in opposite directions by admitting pressure Huid to or exhausting the same from the larger pressure area thereof', a pressure-actuated, auxiliary valve adapted, when in one position, to admit pressure fluid to said differential, pressure-actuated, valvemoving device, but when in another position to exhaust pressure liuid therefrom, a tappet-actuated reversing valve for controlling the actuating pressure of said auxiliary valve and reversing the saine, said reversing valve being moved in either direction by said dili'crential, pressure-actuated device near the close of movement of the latter, means for throttling the pressure fluid supplied to 'the differential, pressure actuated device, and means also for throttling` the cxhaust therefrom.

3. l'n a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination With a cylinder provided \vith inlet and exhaust ports, of a main valve controlling the same, a diiierential, pressure-actuated device controlling` the main falve, an auxiliary valve for admitting pressure fluid to or exhausting the samt from said differential, pressure-actuated dcvice, a reversing valve for said auxiliary Yalve, means for moving said reversing valve through movement of said differential, pressure-actuated device, and means for thrc-ttling the pressure fluid supplied to or exhausted from said differential, pressure.- actuated device.

t. in a direct-acting, fluid-pressure en gine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, of a differential, pressure-actuated device for controlling the main valve, an auxiliary valve for admitting pressure fluid to or exhausting the same from said differential, pressure-actuated device, and a reversing valve for said auxiliary valve connected to be moved by said differential, pressure` actuated device.

ln a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, a piston and main valve controlling the same, pressure-actuated means for controlling the main valve, an auxiliary valve for controlling' the working pressure fluid supplied to said prcssure-actuated means, and a mechanically-actuated, reversing valve for said auxiliary valve.

6. In a direct-acting, fluid-pressin'c cngine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve ccntrolling the same of pressure-actuated means for moving the main valve, an auxiliary valve controlling said pressure-actuated means, a mechanically actuated reversing valve for said auxiliary valve, and means for controlling the working pressure fluid supplied to move said pressure-actuated means.

T. in a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling thc same, of pressure-actuated, valve-moving means, means distinct from said piston actuated by the movement of said pressure-actuated means for causing its own reversal, and throttling means for retarding itsI reversing movement in one direction relatively to that in another.

8. ln a direct acting fluid-pressure engine, the combination 0f a cylinder, piston and main 'alve controlling the same, pressure actuated means for moving the main sure-actuated means for moving the mainv valve, a reversing valve for reversing said pressure-actuated means, and tappet members carried by said pressure-actuated means for engaging with said. reversing valve, said tappet means having provision for a lost motion with respect to said reversing valve thereby to move the same near the close of movement of said pressure-actuated means.

l0. In a direct-acting, {luid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, )iston a ndm ain valve controlling the same, of pressure-actuated means for moving the main valve, an auxiliary piston valve controlling the moving pressure Huid for said pressureactuated means, means for admitting pressure Huid in small quantities to opposite ends of said auxiliary piston Yalve, and a reversing valve for exhausting pressure fluid alternately from opposite ends of said aux-` iliary piston valve.

ll. In a. direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, of a differential piston for moving the main valve, pressme-actuated means forexhausting pressure from or supplyingut to the larger area of said differential piston, and means for throttling more or less the pressure fluid supplied thereto.

1Q. ln a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve contralling the same, of a differential piston for `moving the main valve, pressure-actuated means for exhausting pressure fluid from or supplying it to the larger area of said differential piston, and means for throttling more or less the exhaust therefrom.

18. ln a direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, of a dierential piston for moving the main valve, pressure-actuated means for'exhausting pressure fluid from or supplying it to the larger area of said differential piston, and means for throttling pressure fluid supplied thereto or exhaust therefrom.

14. A direct-acting, fluid pressure engine, having a main valve and pressure-actuated means for moving the same, a pressure-actuated valve for controlling the working pressure fluid supplied to said pressure-actuated means, and means for retarding the movement of said pressure-actuated means in' either direction.

15. A directacting, fluid-pressure engine, having a main valve and pressureactuated means for moving the same, a pressure-actuated valve for controlling the Working pressure fluid supplied t0 said pressureactuated means, and means for retarding the movement of said pressure-rctuated means to retard. the forward stroke of said piston relatively to the backward stroke thereof.

16. A direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, having` a main valve and pressureactuated means for moving the same, a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the working pressure fluid supplied to said pressure-actuated means, and means for retarding the movement of said pressure-actuated means to retard the backward stroke of said piston relatively to the forward stroke thereof.

17. A directacting1 fluid-pressure engine, having a cylinder, piston and main controlling valve, pressure-actuated means for moving the same, a pressure Huid actuated valve for controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said pressure-actuated means, and means for holding said pressure-actuated means in an eXtreme position, thereby to hold the piston. in an extreme position Within the cylinder.

18. A. direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, ha ving a cylinder, piston, inlet and exhaust ports, a main valve controlling the same, pressure-actuated means for moving the main valve, means permitting a constant supply of pressure fluid for the actuation ofsaid pressure-actuated means, and throttling means for throttling the moving pressure' fluid for said pressure-actuated means.

19. A direct-acting, fluid-pressure engine, having a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, pressure -actuated means for moving the main valve, a constant pressure chamber in Which said main valve Works, and an auxiliary, pressure-receiving chamber of relatively large capacity in open communication therewith at all times.

20. ln a direct acting engine, the combination with a cylinder and main piston, of a main controlling valve therefor, pressureactuatedmeans for moving said valve, a pressure-actuated valve lfor controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said pressureactuated means, and means for throttling more or less the pressure fluid supplied thereto by said valve.

21. In a direct acting engine, the combination With a cylinder and main piston, of a main controlling valve therefor, pressureactuated means for moving the same, a pressure-actuated valve for controlling the exhaust from said pressure-actuated means,

llO

and` means for throttling more or less the exhaust therefrom.

l ated iston for movin@- the main controllinoV p c e valve, said piston having a stem, a reversing valve, tappets carried by said stem for actuating said reversing valve, and an auxiliary valve controlled by the reversing valve for controlling the moving Huid-pressure to the pressure-actuated piston.

24. In a direct-acting engine the combination with a cylinder and piston, of a main controlling valve therefor, a pressure-actuated piston for moving` the main controlling valve, said piston having a stem, a reversing valve, -tappets carried by said stem for actuating saidV reversing valve, an auxiliary valve controlled by the reversing valve for controlling the moving luid-aressure to the pressureactuated piston and means to throttle the fluid-pressure admitted to said piston by said auxiliary valve.

25. In a direct-acting engine the combinationwith a cylinder and main piston, of a main controlling valve therefor, a pressure-actuated lpiston for moving said valve, a stem on said piston, a reversing valve for controlling the moving pressure for said piston and tappet means carried by said stem for actuating said reversing valve.

26. In a direct-acting engine the combination With a Vcylinder and piston of a 40main controlling valve, a pressure actuated piston for moving the same, an auxiliary alined reversing valve, tappet means for actuating said reversing valve by the movement of said valve moving piston, an auxiliary valve controlled by said reversing valve and adapted to control the admission of pressure to, or exhaust from, said valve moving piston, and means to throttle the exhaust therefrom.

27. In a direct acting, fluid pressure engine, the combination with a cylinder provided With inlet and exhaust ports, of a main valve controlling the same, a differential, pressure actuated device controlling the main valve, an auxiliary valve for admitting pressure fluid to or exhausting the same from said differential, pressure actuated device, a reversing valve for said auxiliary valve, means for moving said reversing valve through movement of said diii'erential, pressure actuated device, means for throttling the pressure iluid supplied to said differential, pressure actuated device, and means for throttling the exhaust therefrom.

28. In a direct acting, fluid pressure en gine, the combination with a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, of a diiferential piston for moving the main valve, pressure actuated means for exhausting pressure fluid from or supplying it to the larger area of said differential piston, means for tlirottling pressure iluid supplied thereto and means for throttling exhaust therefrom.

29. A direct acting fluid pressure engine, having a main valve and pressure actuated means for moving the same, a pressure actuated valve for controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said pressure actuated means, throttling means for retarding the movement of said pressure actuated means in one direction, and throttling means for retarding the movement of said pressure actuated means in the opposite direction.

30. In a direct acting fluid pressure engine, the combination of a cylinder, piston and main valve controlling the same, pressure actuated means for moving the main valve, means including a mechanically actuated reversing valve for controlling said pressure actuated means, and manually operable throttling means for retarding the reversing movement of said pressure actuated means in one direction relatively to its movement in another direction.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERT BALL. THOMAS OFFICER. lVitnesses:

ROBERT J. MERRILL, THOMAS I3. Boo'rH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

